The long-range goal of this project is to develop methods for enhancing motor function in patients with motor disabilities. Our approach to improving motor function has been to couple assisted movement with enhanced sensation (""""""""AMES""""""""), in which the patented AMES device assists the patient in moving an affected limb while at the same time it vibrates the lengthening tendons to enhance the patient's sensation of the movement. In a Phase I clinical trial, AMES treatment of 22 low-functioning chronic stroke patients (14 upper and 14 lower extremities) resulted in improved strength, range of motion, and functional movement in about 70% of the patients. The current method of 'enhancing sensation'in AMES was a first approach - to vibrate the lengthening muscles at a constant 60 pulses per second. The objective of the proposed research is to intensify the patient's perception of the assisted movement by optimizing the methods of sensory stimulation. The overall hypothesis is that, by optimizing the patient's perception of movement with AMES therapy, connections between a joint's antagonistic sensory and motor connections to the brain are further strengthened, leading to improved motor function.
Aim 1 will identify psychophysical methods that optimize kinesthetic amplification during movement. Two experiments will address Aim 1: Exp.1 will differentiate among the contributions of joint, muscle, and skin receptors during a kinesthetically controlled hand movement;Exp.2 will investigate whether, during precise voluntary joint movement, antagonist muscles are co-activated and whether, as a consequence, the sensitivity of antagonist muscle spindles is enhanced by fusimotor drive.

Public Health Relevance

The discovery that the adult brain is capable of substantial reorganization in response to sensory stimulation and motor activity has led to the development of new approaches to rehabilitation of motor disabilities. The work proposed in this application seeks to identify how best to .amplify. proprioception, for example, by using tendon vibration. By optimally and functionally amplifying proprioception during physical and occupational therapy, individuals with motor disorders may be more effectively treated.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS061304-22
Application #
7895788
Study Section
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences Study Section (MRS)
Program Officer
Chen, Daofen
Project Start
2008-04-01
Project End
2012-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2012-06-30
Support Year
22
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$381,241
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
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